(Dharma Foundation Global Founder Taposhi S. Bentley is pictured here with Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, Jr. at The Mayor's Asian American Heritage Month reception in May 2003)
Once former Miss Windy City 1983, Miss Scholastician 1986 and contestant for the 1986 Miss America – Miss Ohio pageants, Taposhi continues her work with young people through Dharma Foundation. In December 1998 she was the youngest female recipient of the “Hind Rattan” award, which translates into “Jewel of India” by the former Prime Minister of India, Deve Gowda for her continued support for her native country of birth. Taposhi is a certified public accountant with over 17 years of experience in Public Accounting, Industry as well as Consulting. She started her career in Public Accounting as an auditor for Arthur Andersen, after ten years in mid-management for a Fortune 500 company, she transitioned into a management and financial consultant role to senior management in companies for the following industries: technology, tele-communication, food, financial, insurance and broadcasting and publishing. In late 2003 Taposhi launched her own consulting practice: Salesthink Worldwide Consulting, Inc. to take advantage of the large international markets being created in the area of process re-engineering and out-sourcing with the goal of bringing new and emerging technologies to market. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the Ohio State University – 1988; Masters of Science in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University – 2001; Certificate in Integrated Sales and Marketing from the University of Chicago – 2001.
Outside of her profession and charitable causes, Taposhi has many interests, one of them being motor sports. Her interest in motor sports sparked at the age of five when her father, an electrical engineer, gave her a toy car model. “I have great appreciation for the automotive industry and the important role automobiles have played in transforming America from a rural society to the nation it has become.” In the Fall 2002, Bill Wildt, producer of MotorSports Unlimited asked her to join his production team as host and announcer. Motorsports Unlimited is Chicagoland’s most watched most talked about cable television program that showcases cars, yachts, airplanes and their proud owners. Taposhi known by her nickname “Samantha” or “Sam” to her Motorsports Unlimited television audience can be seen in over 8 million homes through over-the-air and satellite distribution. Log into http://www.msutv.com to learn more about the television program Motorsports Unlimited.
As Dharma Foundation approaches its ninth anniversary on September 25, 2009 launching the Foundation has been a labor of love in pursuit of a vision to promote peace, diversity and non-violent conflict resolution through education. This passionate endeavor has consumed many hours of her time but does not take away from her desire to someday pursue more personal goals such as having a family.
Taposhi’s future goals are to grow her consulting practice and Dharma Foundation from a grass roots organization to one that is nationally recognized. We hope to get involved in more social and economic programs that benefit developing nations around the world. Her love for motor sports and traveling to exotic places led her to start studying for the aviation pilot’s certification. She says, “There is never a day in my life when I forget how blessed I am to be an American while at the same time being just as proud of my East Indian heritage. I enjoy reaching out to people in my community through my foundation work and helping businesses reach their potential. I believe that is my Dharma”.
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